Among those following Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s breakup was someone who once knew Kidman closely: her legendary ex and first husband, Tom Cruise. And if anyone thought that the star, who himself has married and divorced since, would offer his ex and the mother of his children a listening ear or a supportive shoulder — they should think again — because according to reports, he rather relished every moment.
Cruise followed religiously the news about Nicole’s divorce, close associates told the International Business Times. They said that part of him feels bad for her because he knows she’s hurt. At the same time, he allows himself to be pleased and to declare that "karma" is working, and that now everyone sees her true face.”
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Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman in their earlier years
(Photo: Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images)
And why is Cruise so angry?
"When Tom and Nicole split, he caught all the blame and she got all the sympathy," one source said. "He was painted as the bad guy, and that stuck with him for years. Now that things have flipped, he sees it as karma coming back around. He's not bragging about it, but he definitely sees the irony."
"Tom was really stung by the way Nicole handled their breakup. She went on TV, made digs about his height, and painted herself as the victim while he stayed silent and took the hits," according to a friend of Cruise. "Watching her face a public split now—especially with all the talk about Keith—he feels like people are finally seeing things from a different angle."
According to insiders, not only has Cruise not gotten over it, but when it emerged that Kidman and Urban were in a relationship only one emotion grew in him: anger. He was upset that Urban appeared to be the knight who arrived on a white horse and saved Nicole.
Another friend says that Cruise "genuinely sympathizes with Nicole because he knows how painful it is to have everyone dissect your private life. Still, there's a part of him that feels vindicated. He's always believed Keith was more of a rebound than the real thing."
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Nicole Kidman with soon-to-be-ex -husband Keith Urban
(Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Cruise and Kidman were married for 11 years, from 1990 until 2001, and they share two children: Connor and Isabella. After the split, rumors circulated that Kidman refused to surrender to Scientology — of which Cruise was regarded as one of the most senior members. When she left, their children remained in their father’s custody.
A year after the divorce Kidman said: “I thought our life together was perfect. It took me a very long time to heal. It was a shock to my system... I would have gone to the ends of the earth for him. I was totally smitten – I fell madly, passionately in love.”
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Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have been married for 19 years
(Photo: Marleen Moise/Getty Images)
Kidman and Urban separated in September after 19 years of marriage and two daughters: Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 14.
Cruise also experienced high‑profile relationships and public splits — most notably with actress Katie Holmes, whom he married in 2006. They divorced after six years of marriage and a shared daughter, Suri, 19. Cruise does not appear to be in contact with her.
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From a time when Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise were really in love
(Photo: Matt Turner/Liaison)
Recently, he was in a relationship with actress Ana de Armas, but that connection too did not last.